11 posts from April 2012

April 30, 2012

I might have mentioned this a few times before, but I'm a bit of a make-up and skincare freak, and I'm constantly trying to pick up new tricks. Recently, a makeup artist taught me to use powder sparingly and strategically, rather than sloppily dusting it all over and hoping my makeup stayed put.

When you obliterate shine all over your face, it can end up looking a little dusty and old-ladyish. No matter what your skin type is, that is never a good look for anyone!! Working with shine and not against it makes for a much fresher face. I like to amp up the shine with some tricky highlighter and luminizer to give some extra dimensionality and glow.

First off, before I get started I should start with some skin basics...common sense, mostly!

The real key to glowing skin is taking care of yourself. Lots of water, less pizza, go to bed early, try to be more zen, all of those very difficult things. It's especially important to wash your face twice a day. Using very hot water is a must. A gentle toner will do wonders for your skin. I have always found most foaming cleansers to be too harsh. I am extremely happy with Dr. Hauschka's cleansing milk! I do a Andalou Naturals glycolic pumpkin mask and Fresh Black Tea Perfecting mask two times a week. I am always trying new moisturizers, right now it's Dr. Hauschka's Melissa day cream.

I'm an exfoliation freak and the dermatologist reccomended 3-times a week is not enough exfoliation for me! I exfoliate every other day and always use a gritty washcloth when I wash my face to remove product residue and daily build-up. The gritty washcloth makes an enormous difference. If you don't have a smooth canvas to put your makeup on, it will just not look as good.

Use moisturizer extremely liberally. Your skin will love you for it.

If you do not wash your makeup brushes constantly, they will give you pimples. Washing your face brushes twice a week in hot water with shampoo is really important!

Perfecting your base

Use your favorite foundation, if you are so inclined. I don't always use foundation, but I personally have always believed it's better for your skin to wear a little. Unpopular opinion, I know. It's a good barrier between your face and the stuff outside! I really, really love Bobbi Brown foundations--you WILL find a shade that matches your skin tone! I like to apply Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich foundation with a stipling brush.

Cover under eye circles with a creamy concealer. Use your ring finger to roll concealer as close you possibly can to your lash line, and cover your inner corners as well. You can use a heavier concealer to hide any blemishes.

Set your concealer by gently rolling a small semi-fluffy brush full of translucent powder under your eyes and anywhere else you put concealer. Repeat if you feel it's going to be necessary. (muggy days, long shifts, etc)

Set your foundation with a little bit of powder, but only powder where it counts. My oiliest areas are my eyelids, around my nostrils, my chin, and the very center of my forhead. I use a very small blush brush to apply my translucent powder because the point is to GLOW!

Now...amp up the glow! I hope my silly diagram is helpful.

For an extremely natural makeup look, I think it is important to use as many cream products as possible. Cream blushes, luminizers, and eyeshadows will mesh with your skins texture, instead of just sitting on it like powder does.

For my blush, I use Bobbi Brown cream blushes in a hot pink, and slightly darker shade of pink. I put the darker shade of pink under my cheek bones and the brighter shade of pink above my cheekbones for subtle contouring. I feather them out towards my temples.

Luminzer makes everyone pretty and looks very ethereal. Almost every makeup line has one now. I use Fresh's Satin Luster Face Pallete and I am in love with it! It has a peach, pink, and white highlighter. Use whatever suits your skin tone. I made a diagram to show where I put it, and where I concentrate it. I make the white highlighter double as eyeshadow and like to put a lot in my inner corners. I smudge the remainder on my temples.

Highlighter is not just for your face! I use a Maybelline white sparkly eye pencil liberally under my eyes, concentrating it on the inner corners. Sometimes I use a liquid white glitter liner over it for a dramatic pop. I use the same white sparkly eye pencil on the cupid's bow of my lips.

White-gold lip gloss is amazing. Use it as highlighter for your lips. I put a big dab of NARS Lip Gloss in Albatross in the center of my lips. It makes them look MUCH fuller! You must have a tube of it in your life. I put a sheer red lipstick on before I do my lip highlighter usually--they wear off nicely and are a no-brainer to put on.

I find after I put on blush and shine, I don't want too much else! I throw on some mascara and a thin liner on top, and that is the most I'll ever do. The finished product is supposed to be pretty natural!

April 26, 2012

I am playing guest editor over at Shoescribe this month, and in honor of their film theme, this shoot was inspired by one of my favorite movies, Picnic At Hanging Rock (1976). It is a haunting turn-of-the-century mystery set at a girl's boarding school in Australia. One of the many 'haunted little girl' movies that came out during that time. Highly reccomended! It takes place in the Australian outback and the scenery is stunning.

These patent Rochas granny booties got me thinking in this direction--they are some of my favorites! So stubbornly unmodern. The dress is a silk 70's number I picked up sometime back.

April 25, 2012

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I feel like it as an appropriate time to share these photos of my mom and me. We hardly have any pictures together because one of us is always on the other side of the camera! Todd snapped these of us after we all took a break for lunch.

Ippolita sent us some of their beautiful silver bracelets-the twisted bracelet with a diamond stud is so exquisite! I inherited my love of silver from my mom...these make an amazing addition to her collection.

I'm excited to announce that my mom and I have partered with Ippolita jewelry to give you a chance to win a beautiful Mother's Day gift! The contest is based on a fun points and votes system. I can't wait to see the entries!

April 23, 2012

I picked up this beautifully done book on the brilliant Celia Birtwell at Half Price the other day...it is an amazing retrospective of her life and work, with a delightful sprinkling of personal stories and insights from Celia. Definitely worth picking up for any vintage or textile enthusiast! I scanned some images from my copy to share with you.

April 18, 2012

I am so excited to share my experience trying Cristalliste, Kérastase's new lightweight hair care collection for long hair. I went for an in-salon treatment at the Songbird Society Salon here in Dallas. I have been wanting to go into the salon ever since I found out it was not, in fact, an actual songbird society. Such a fun crew there and I can not believe the amazing cut and color I got!

Cristalliste is formulated to suit long hair's needs, perfectly balancing it to prevent greasy roots and dry ends (which was my problem as you can see in the scary before picture) After using Cristalliste my hair was left shiny and bouncy, nourished and polished, and without the feeling heavy product build up, which is my number one hair pet peeve! I really cannot believe the difference, and it is a perfect product for girls who like to go a few days between washes.

It is a three part hair care system, with two shampoos to choose from depending on your hair texture. I used the fine shampoo. The conditioner is awesome and the Luminous Perfecting Essence feels like silk on my hair.

The adorable sign hanging outside the Songbird Society.

This is me before, poised to run for mayor of Split-Endsville.

Having a consultation with the amazing Laseta!

Wearing my favorite Biba's from about six years ago.

I love the disheveled pin curls Laseta put my hair in during my blow out! They made for awesome texture and volume.

I can't believe that is the same head of hair I walked in with.

I love the big bouncy hair I got!! So shiny!

Kérastase and I are hosting an Instagr.am contest. Starting today, Wednesday April 18th until May 2nd, follow my #KerastaseDiary to enter to win. Here is what you have to do:

Follow @SeaofShoes and @KerastaseUSA on Instagr.am

Upload an image and share with us your hair style of the day

Tag the image with the #KerastaseDiary hashtag

Three lucky winners will receive an in-salon experience for two and the entire Cristalliste product line. Check out Kérastase's Facebook page for additional details.

If you are looking for an amazing cut and color in Dallas, you must try Henry and Katie at the Songbird Society! They are true hair maestros--thank you so much guys!

April 17, 2012

I'm in the dining room at my mom's place, which has been slowly evolving into a fantastical psychedelic opium den since she moved in. Doesn't it remind you of the scene with the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland? More pics will be on my mom's blog soon!

April 13, 2012

Excited to show off the windows I designed for the historic flagship Neiman Marcus! I love being at the downtown Neimans, it has an atmoshere like no other and represents everything that Neimans has come to stand for. I am so impressed with what the Neimans team did!

The launch party was such a fun time, thank you so much to those who came out! Had so much fun seeing my friends and meeting new ones. These photos come courtesy of the lovely Stephanie and Erin. The shot of Steph swirling around in the bridal salon is everything.

I spent some time this week having some fun-thrifting, toy shopping, doodling, and working on an extremely exciting hair-related project. I'm headed to the Songbird Society for (another) hair experiment, can't wait to show you guys!!